title: More than just a T-box: the role of T-bet as a possible biomarker and therapeutic target in autoimmune diseases.
abstract: T-bet was initially described as a T-box transcription factor with an essential role in orchestrating Th1 cell differentiation. Subsequently, it was determined that T-bet controls the expression of numerous cytokines and their receptors, adhesion molecules and chemokine receptors, and therefore determines the differentiation and development status of many types of immune cells. The critical role of T-bet in autoimmune diseases, particularly multiple sclerosis and its animal model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, implicates it as a potential biomarker for pathogenic T cells as well as a therapeutic drug target.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, TX 78249, USA.
authors.forename: Niannian
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Rebecca A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sosa
authors.forename: Thomas G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Forsthuber
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine / Q000502:physiology; D020825:T-Box Domain Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D000098815:T-bet Transcription Factor
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D018121:Receptors, Cytokine; D020825:T-Box Domain Proteins; D000098815:T-bet Transcription Factor; D007371:Interferon-gamma